Steam trunk-lid press



(No Model.)

W. E. LOGKMAN.

STEAM TRUNK LID PRESS.

No'. 284,215 J Rif@ "Il l Waimes; af: v

N. PETERS, Phomulnugmplm. wnhingtun. D, C.

I 771/@ nio?? y trunk-lid press-machines; and theobjects of j 1o l, i UNITED- STATES` PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM ERASTUS LOCKMAN, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.`

srl-:AM TRUNK-Ll o PRESS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 284,215, dated September 4,

Application mea April 11, isser (No model.;

.To cLZZ whom it 17mg/- concern.- f

Be it known that- I, WILLIAM Enns'rus LoonMAN, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at the city of St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Steam Trunk-Lid Press, of which the following isa specification. i ,j i

My invention relates to improvements in my said invention are to give form and shape i to the wooden boards out of which trunk-lids resents the other. end of the machine, showingV the` steamconnection; and Fig. 4 represents the hollow sections of the steam-chambers.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

`The frame-work ofthe machine L and M rests upon a wooden sill, O. rlhe frame-work is-lield` together by boltsR. Within the frame-work are two hollow cast-iron steam-chambers, -A and B. The lower stea1n-chamber,]3, is stationary and rests upon a wooden base, N. The upper steam-chamber, A, is connected with iron screws H. These iron screws pass through the frame-work M and are attached to the top of said steam-chamber by iron -plates G, which fit-over the knob on the end of the screws, and

which plates are then affixed tothe steamchamber by iron cap-screws. There are toothwheels I at the upper endof the screws H, around which an endless chain works, connecting the two screws of the machine. rlhere are also at the end of the screws wheels J, by which the same are operated. The turning of either of these wheels causes the upper steam chamber to raise or lower at the pleasure of the person operating the machine. By operating this screw Hthe surfaces ofthe steamchambersA and B come together. The lower steam-chamber has a concave surface and the upper one a convex surface. These steamchambers are supplied with steam through adjustable knuckle-jointsE.` Steam-connection with the knuckle-joints is had by an iron pipe, C. These knuckle-joints adjust theml selves to the raising or lowering of the upper steam-chamber. There are also stop-cocks F connected with both steam-chambers, which serve to drain the same when necessary. A pressure of about twenty-five pounds of steam is usually kept in the steam-chambers, and to I avoid `accidents safety-valves D are attached to each steam-chamber to relieve any over pressure.

The object and nature of the machine is best explained by describing the operation of it. `Wooden j boards out of which trunk-lids are made are thoroughly steamed inwhat is ordinarily called a steam-box. This steamling process causes the boards to become -sume the `form of the trunk-lid. While the pressure is being applied to the boards they are also "subjected at the same time to the great heat (produced by the steam) of the steamchambers. The boards are kept in. the press between the heated steam-chambers with the pressure applied for about eight minutes. The pressure is then withdrawn by turning the screw and raising the upper steam-chamber. The boards are then tak-en from the press and have the form and shape of trunk-lids, and are also perfectly dry and free from moisture, because of the heat to which they are subjected when in the machine. rI he boards, then being dry and free `from moisture, afterward retain their shape and form, do not warp or change, and are ready for immediate use in the construction of trunk-lids.

The originalityY of this invention is well shown by considering the old machine now in use for giving form and shape to trunk-lid. boards. The old machine isa wooden aair, with no steam chambers or connection whating of time and also of labor. 2o

shape, and afterward retain it.

even The press is made of wood, and two men are required to operate it-one at each screw. The boards are taken from the steambox wet and full of moisture and placed in this wooden press. Form and shape are given to the boards by applying pressure; but after the boards are taken out they are still Wet and moist and require to be dried in the sun, or by heat subsequently applied. The result is they warp and lose their shape. Great loss of time and material is also occasioned by having to dry the boards after they are taken from the machine. The present invention obviates all of these difficulties. When boards are taken from the machine, they are dry and free from moisture, have perfect form and There is no On the contrary, there is a sav- One man can The old idea required two men.

loss of time.

operate it.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination, in a trunk-lid press-machine, of two hollow castiron steam-chambers,

A and B, the surface of one being concave and` WILLIAM ERAsTUs LocKMAN.

Witnesses:

ALBERT BURGEss, ANDREW S. FLETCHER. 

